WORTHINGTON -- Council members discussed the fate of trees along 10th Street Monday, hearing testimony on which trees would survive best in the high-pH soil outside of Avera Worthington Specialty Clinics.
Scott Rosenberg, the city's designated forester, spoke about options for purchasing trees to replace those dying near the clinic.
"The recommendation was to ... try a variety of these trees, and not just go in and plant one variety and find out that that one variety does not work in our situation. ... Find out what variety does live and as the others don't make it, we'll just keep filling in with the ones that do make it," he said.
Rosenberg estimated about 10 trees in that area will need to be replaced. He said the cost for the recommended variety of trees could range from $40 to $130 per tree.
Mayor Alan Oberloh and Alderman Mike Woll questioned whether some of the tree funds reserved for next year could be used toward grooming trees on Humiston Avenue.
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"Would it make more sense to put some resources and focus on the main arteries into town?" Woll asked. "Those folks put up with the traffic cutting through their front yard; it doesn't hurt for us to put the focus into taking care of their property."
Jim Laffrenzen, director of public works, said maintaining trees was already difficult.
"The weather dictates how much we can do," he said. "We'd love to trim trees 12 months a year, but we do not have the manpower or resources."
The council will continue to explore options for the replacement of the trees.
In previous meetings, the council heard reports from the state forester, who said the trees were not surviving due to chemical damage from ice-control products. Worthington Public Works had requested the council vote to not replace the trees, but council agreed to investigate what other communities did in similar situations.
Council members also looked at trees in the community, determining that the hackberrys planted on 10th Street are doing well because of their tolerance to high-pH soils, and receiving advice on other trees that would do well in similar soil.
In other business, the council Monday:
- Approved a second reading of the proposed ordinance to vacate the Platted Public Utility Easement in Lot 4, Block 1 of Castlewood Knolls.
- Voted to amend the City of Worthington Purchasing Policy to include language allowing for the lease of equipment.
- Approved an agreement between BKV Group Inc. and the City of Worthington for architect design services for the City of Worthington Aquatic Center. The agreement was amended to specify that the final punch list items will be prepared by the owner and architect of the property, rather than the contractor, as was previously written.
- Approved the sale of the S&L Parking Lot to Woll.
- Received a petition from the Meadows of Worthington LLC to extend the water main along North Crailsheim Road south of College Way.
- Approved the first reading of an amendment that would increase annual storm water utility rates by $2.76 per residential lot.
- Approved an execution of maintenance agreement for the property located at 1941 Summit Ave.
